European Union Enlargement - An historic opportunity
European Union Enlargement - An historic opportunity
European Union Enlargement - An historic opportunity
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<strong>An</strong>nexes<br />
2001<br />
JUNE<br />
OCTOBER<br />
NOVEMBER<br />
DECEMBER<br />
2002<br />
JANUARY<br />
APRIL<br />
JUNE<br />
OCTOBER<br />
NOVEMBER<br />
DECEMBER<br />
2003<br />
MARCH<br />
APRIL<br />
Gothenburg <strong>European</strong> Council confirms that the enlargement process is irreversible, and<br />
reaffirms the roadmap as the framework for the successful completion of the negotiations.<br />
Provided that progress towards meeting the accession criteria continues at an unabated<br />
pace, the roadmap should make it possible to complete negotiations by the end of 2002 for<br />
those candidates that are ready, allowing the countries concerned to participate in the<br />
<strong>European</strong> Parliament elections of 2004 as new Members. The <strong>European</strong> Council recognises<br />
that the decisions in Helsinki have brought Turkey closer to the EU, and urges Turkey to take<br />
concrete measures to implement the priorities of the Accession Partnership.<br />
Gent <strong>European</strong> Council makes mid-term review of the implementation of the enlargement<br />
strategy agreed at Nice.<br />
<strong>European</strong> Commission adopts fourth set of Regular Reports and proposals for revised<br />
Accession Partnerships.<br />
Laeken <strong>European</strong> Council confirms that considerable progress has been made in the negotiations<br />
and concludes that if the present rate of progress is maintained, the Czech Republic,<br />
Cyprus, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, the Slovak Republic and Slovenia<br />
could be ready to conclude negotiations at the end of 2002. The <strong>European</strong> Council also<br />
notes the significant efforts made by Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey and encourages them to<br />
continue on that course. The <strong>European</strong> Council decides to convene a Convention on the<br />
Future of Europe.<br />
Council adopts revised Accession Partnerships for all negotiating countries, based on the<br />
proposals put forward by the <strong>European</strong> Commission.<br />
<strong>European</strong> Commission, in co-operation with the negotiating countries, launches Action<br />
Plans for the reinforcement of administrative and judicial capacity.<br />
Seville <strong>European</strong> Council reaffirms the <strong>Union</strong>’s determination to conclude negotiations with<br />
the first ten candidate countries by the end of 2002 if they are ready. The <strong>European</strong> Council<br />
invites the Commission to prepare roadmaps and revised and enhanced pre-accession<br />
strategies to be adopted in Copenhagen for those countries still engaged in negotiations.<br />
The <strong>European</strong> Council reiterates its call to the leaders of the Greek Cypriot and Turkish<br />
Cypriot communities to reach a settlement before the conclusion of negotiations. The<br />
<strong>European</strong> Council welcomes recent reforms carried out in Turkey and supports it in its<br />
efforts to fulfil the priorities defined in its Accession Partnership.<br />
■ <strong>European</strong> Commission adopts its fifth set of Regular Reports, recommending that the<br />
Council conclude negotiations with Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia,<br />
Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovak Republic and Slovenia.<br />
■ The Brussels <strong>European</strong> Council endorses the Commission’s recommendations.<br />
■ Conclusion of the Nice Treaty ratification process following a successful referendum in<br />
Ireland.<br />
<strong>European</strong> Commission proposes roadmaps for Bulgaria and Romania.<br />
Copenhagen <strong>European</strong> Council successfully concludes negotiations with first ten candidate<br />
countries. Regarding Bulgaria and Romania, the <strong>European</strong> Council states that, depending<br />
on further progress in complying with the criteria for membership, it is its objective to welcome<br />
these countries to the <strong>Union</strong> in 2007. Recalling its decision in Helsinki in 1999 that<br />
Turkey is a candidate state destined to join the <strong>Union</strong> on the basis of the same criteria<br />
applied to other candidate states, the <strong>European</strong> Council pledges to re-examine Turkey’s status<br />
in December 2004 on the basis of a report and recommendation from the <strong>European</strong><br />
Commission. If by that time Turkey fulfils the Copenhagen political criteria, the <strong>Union</strong> will<br />
open accession negotiations with Turkey without delay.<br />
<strong>European</strong> Commission adopts proposals for revised Accession Partnerships for Bulgaria,<br />
Romania and Turkey.<br />
The Accession Treaty with Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania,<br />
Malta, Poland, Slovak Republic and Slovenia is signed in Athens, Greece.<br />
ENLARGEMENT OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, AN HISTORIC OPPORTUNITY<br />
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